February 18, 2006

VVAW Alert - Support HB339

Please contact each member of the Senate Ag Committee (list below) to support HB339.

If you email (rather than call), in the subject line, please put: Support HB339

Your contact need say no more than you want the committee member to vote in support of HB339. Remember to provide your name and address.

If you want to ask the committee member to make the bill stronger, request that the bill lift the current cap on licenses from $10 and make it $35, with the understanding that each jurisdiction can decide its own price.

Please also contact your own senator if not on the Senate Ag Committee and ask them to support the bill when it gets to them for the final vote, saying it will increase compliance with current dog licensing laws. Make sure you say you are a constituent

If you will, send an email to each Senator, and call as well. And get your friends and family to do the same.

If you want more, I am copying the text from the HSUS alert supporting HB339.

The Virginia House of Delegates recently passed H.B. 339, a bill
intended to increase compliance with current dog licensing laws.
This legislation, introduced by Delegate Robert Orrock, will
require veterinarians to send a copy of rabies certificates to
the county treasurer's office which will then remit to the
animal's owner, an application and a bill for a dog license.
H.B. 339 is scheduled for a vote before the Senate Committee on
Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources on Monday,
February 20. Please take action today.

Localities rely on licensing fees to help pay for the costs of
animal control services. H.B. 339, by increasing compliance with
current law, will bring in much-needed revenue for these
services. This legislation also provides that the owner of an
unlicensed dog who is impounded may be subject to an increase in
the impound fee up to $5 per day or if the owner does not pay
the fee, the owner may be required to spay or neuter the dog.

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Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee

phone provided is their Richmond office

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Thank you.

Lillian Clancy and Don Marro